Middle School Academic Support
Academic Support Services
The Middle School Learning Coordinator is available to assist members of the Bush community, parents, faculty and students, in supporting all students’ academic progress.
- Tutoring
- Educational Assessment
- Accommodations
- Middle School Standardized Testing
- Links to Resources
- Recommended Reading
Tutoring
General Information: Before requesting tutorial support families and students are encouraged to be in contact with their teachers. (More) Teachers can offer clarity and suggestions to assist a student with their academic progress. In addition, if tutorial support is warranted the teacher can offer thoughtful guidance and recommendations regarding the nature and focus of the support.
Recommendations
The Learning Coordinator (LC) can recommend private tutors and private tutorial agencies to families. The LC typically gives two to three tutor names to families to allow families the opportunity to find an individual who matches their scheduling needs and is the right match for their child. Once a tutor has been selected the LC is available to coordinate communication between the tutor and the appropriate faculty members within the school. The LC assists tutors in understanding the school’s recommendations and student’s needs. The Learning Coordinator also has copies of Middle School student books available for loan to tutors.
Tutoring on Campus
Students are welcome to work with their tutors on campus when prior arrangement has been made with the Middle School Learning Coordinator. On campus tutoring in the middle school is only allowed before school (7:30-8:30 a.m.) or after school (3:30-5:45 p.m.). Spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. It is the responsibility of the parent and/or tutor to make arrangements with the Middle School Learning Coordinator before scheduling a tutorial session.
Financial Aid for Tutoring
If a family receives financial aid from the school, The Bush School will provide funding assistance for academic tutorial support. Families are required to first have the recommendation from their teacher and/or Learning Coordinator before making arrangements with a tutor. The Learning Coordinator will facilitate the partnership between the school, parents, students and tutor as it relates to financial aid for academic support.
My Child Currently Works with a Tutor or receives support from an outside professional
If your child is currently working with an outside professional (i.e. speech pathologist, reading specialist) or tutor please contact the Middle School Learning Coordinator. It is to the benefit of the student for the school to be aware of the individual needs, goals, and/or strategies that can bring them success.
The Learning Coordinator, with the permission of parents, is available to inform outside professionals of student progress, teacher recommendations and/or general observations. Finally, the Learning Coordinator can loan additional copies of books to tutors or professionals working with students.
Educational Assessment
General Information: It is the role of the Middle School Learning Coordinator to assist families and students through all aspects of an Educational Assessment Process. Working in partnership with a student’s teachers, and the Middle School Director, the Learning Coordinator may recommend and Educational Assessment to assist the school and family in their understanding of a student’s strengths, areas of struggle and strategies to support him/her. If your family is considering an Educational Assessment for the presence of a learning disability, attention issues, or other academic concern, first be in contact with the Learning Coordinator. The Learning Coordinator can provide names of professionals capable of providing professional reports that will meet the requirements of The Bush School as well as the College Board and Educational Testing Service. If any observations or forms are asked to be completed as part of the testing process they are to be processed through the Learning Coordinator. Upon completion of the testing the Learning Coordinator works with families in determining the educational plan for a student as well as the integration of accommodations. The information is shared with the faculty only with the oversight of parents. A student’s assessment summary stays in the Learning Coordinator’s file and does not become part of a student’s permanent file.
Documentation
When reviewing a student’s assessment summary The Bush School follows the guidelines created by the Educational Testing Service.
The Learning Coordinator is available to assist families in their understanding of these documentation requirements.
My Child has participated in an Educational Assessment
If your child has participated in an Educational Assessment of any kind please contact the Learning Coordinator. It is of benefit to the student and the school if teachers are aware of a student’s strengths, areas of struggle and recommended strategies for support.
Information from an educational assessment is only shared with teachers with the permission of parents and the oversight of the Learning Coordinator. If your family is considering an Educational Assessment for the presence of a learning disability, attention issues, or other academic concern, first be in contact with the Learning Coordinator. The Learning Coordinator can provide names of professionals capable of providing professional reports that will meet the requirements of The Bush School, as well as the College Board and Educational Testing Service. If any observations or forms are asked to be completed as part of the testing process they are to be processed through the Learning Coordinator. Upon completion of the testing the Learning Coordinator works with families in determining the educational plan for a student, as well as the integration of accommodations. The information is shared with the faculty only with the oversight of parents. A student’s assessment summary stays in the Learning Coordinator’s file and does not become part of a student’s permanent file.
Accommodations
The Learning Coordinator assists families, teachers and students with the implementation of accommodations for students. Formal Accommodations are provided with the once an educational plan has been created by the Learning Coordinator and parents.
Documentation
In order to receive accommodations a student must first have the appropriate documentation on file with the Learning Coordinator.
Middle School Standardized Testing
Sixth and Seventh Grade students participate in the Stanford-9 Open Ended Assessment in April of each school year. Score reports are mailed to families in September of the following year.
Links to Resources
Audio Books
- www.rfbd.org
- King County Library
- Seattle Library
- The Bush School Library
- www.recordedbooks.com
- www.booksontape.com
General Support
Learning Differences
- A parent’s guide to helping kids with learning difficulties
- The International Dyslexia Association
- The Washington Branch of the International Dyslexia Assoc.
- The leading Web site on learning disabilities
for parents, teachers, and other professionals - The Learning Disabilities Association of America
- The National Center for Learning Disabilities
Foreign Language
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
- The Hallowell Center: founded by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and specializes in the treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Worry/Anxiety, and Child Learning Disabilities.
Recommended Reading
- A Mind at a Time by Mel Levine
- The Misunderstood Child by Dr. Larry Silver
- The A.D.D. Book by Sears
- Understanding Girls with A.D.H.D.
- Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping With
- Attention Deficit Disorder from Childhood Through Adulthood by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., John J. Ratey (Contributor)
If your child has a diagnosed learning disability they may qualify for books on tape with the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic. More information is available at www.rfbd.org or through your division’s learning coordinator.
